1. Introduction
Embarking on a career in growth equity is an exhilarating journey, filled with dynamic investment opportunities and strategic decision-making. In this article, we’ll delve into the most common growth equity interview questions that candidates might face when seeking a role in this competitive field. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, these questions are designed to test your industry knowledge, analytical skills, and investment acumen.
Growth Equity Insights
Growth equity sits at the intersection of venture capital and private equity, offering a unique blend of risk and reward that attracts sharp-minded individuals with a keen eye for potential. Unlike venture capital, which often focuses on early-stage startups, or buyouts that revolve around established companies, growth equity targets businesses in the sweet spot of expansion—those with proven business models and significant market potential. Candidates seeking roles in this domain must be adept at identifying companies on the cusp of exponential growth and equipped to navigate the complex landscape of scaling businesses.
This sector demands professionals with a balanced skillset, capable of conducting rigorous due diligence, structuring deals to maximize value, and building lasting relationships with founders and CEOs. Furthermore, with the rise of ESG considerations, growth equity professionals are now also expected to integrate sustainability and ethical practices into their investment decisions.
3. Growth Equity Interview Questions
Q1. Can you explain what growth equity is and how it differs from venture capital and buyouts? (Industry Knowledge)
Growth equity refers to a type of private equity investment, generally a minority investment, in relatively mature companies that are looking for capital to expand or restructure operations, enter new markets, or finance a significant acquisition without a change of control of the business. It bridges the gap between venture capital and buyouts:
-
Venture Capital (VC): This is typically invested in early-stage companies with high growth potential. VC investors take a significant amount of risk due to the unproven nature of the businesses they invest in.
-
Buyouts: These involve purchasing a controlling share (often 100%) in a company, which usually includes a significant amount of leverage (debt). Buyout funds usually target stable companies with predictable cash flows.
Growth equity is characterized by a few key distinctions:
- Stage of Business: Growth equity targets companies that are beyond the startup phase and have a proven business model.
- Type of Investment: It is typically a minority investment, whereas buyouts are majority or total ownership, and VC can vary.
- Risk Profile: It is generally less risky than VC as companies have a proven track record but riskier than buyouts due to the companies being in a growth phase.
- Use of Funds: The investment is often used to accelerate growth, such as expanding operations or markets, which differs from buyouts where the investment might be used to optimize operations or restructure the company.
Q2. Why are you interested in a career in growth equity? (Motivation & Cultural Fit)
How to Answer
When answering this question, convey your passion for the industry and how your skills and interests align with growth equity investing. Be sure to highlight any relevant experience and demonstrate an understanding of what a career in growth equity entails.
My Answer
I am interested in a career in growth equity because I am passionate about working with established companies that are at an inflection point in their lifecycle. The opportunity to be part of a business’s journey as it scales appeals to me. I am drawn to the strategic aspect of helping these companies navigate large-scale growth challenges and the analytical side of digging into their financials and operations to identify value-creation opportunities. Additionally, the collaborative nature of growth equity, where the investor often works closely with the company’s management, aligns with my interpersonal skills and my desire to have a tangible impact on a business’s success.
Q3. How do you evaluate the growth potential of a company? (Analytical Skills & Investment Acumen)
To evaluate the growth potential of a company, I consider a multitude of factors including, but not limited to:
- Market Size: Assessing if the market the company operates within is large and growing.
- Market Share: Determining the company’s current market share and its potential to expand.
- Competitive Landscape: Understanding the competition and the company’s unique value proposition.
- Financial Performance: Reviewing historical financials and projecting future performance.
- Scalability: Evaluating the scalability of the company’s business model.
- Management Team: Assessing the strength and track record of the management team.
Q4. Discuss a time when you had to conduct due diligence on a company. What was your approach? (Due Diligence & Attention to Detail)
How to Answer
Provide a structured answer that describes a specific example, your role, and the outcome, highlighting your analytical skills and attention to detail.
My Answer
In my previous role, I was part of a team that conducted due diligence on a mid-sized tech company. Our approach was methodical:
- Financial Analysis: We started with an in-depth analysis of the company’s financial statements to understand its historical growth, profitability, and cash flow stability.
- Operational Review: We then examined the company’s operations, including supply chain efficiency, customer acquisition strategies, and employee turnover.
- Market Analysis: A thorough market analysis was conducted to evaluate the competitive landscape and growth potential within the industry.
- Management Interviews: We spoke with key management personnel to understand their vision and gauge the company’s leadership strength.
- Customer and Supplier References: We reached out to customers and suppliers to get firsthand feedback on the company’s performance and relationships.
The outcome was a comprehensive report that outlined the risks and opportunities associated with the investment which guided our investment decision.
Q5. What financial metrics do you prioritize when assessing a company’s performance? (Financial Analysis)
When assessing a company’s performance, I prioritize a variety of financial metrics which may include, but are not limited to:
Metric | Rationale |
---|---|
Revenue Growth | Indicates the company’s top-line growth and market acceptance. |
EBITDA Margin | Reflects operational efficiency and profitability before financing and accounting decisions. |
Net Profit Margin | Shows the actual profitability after all expenses. |
Return on Equity | Measures how effectively management is using the company’s assets to create profits. |
Free Cash Flow | Highlights the company’s ability to generate cash after capital expenditures. |
Debt/EBITDA Ratio | Assesses the company’s leverage and ability to pay off debt with earnings. |
I also consider growth-specific metrics such as the Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), and the CLV-to-CAC ratio, which are particularly relevant for growth equity as they reflect the scalability and sustainability of the growth.
Q6. How do you stay informed about market trends and identify potential investment opportunities? (Market Awareness)
How to Answer:
To answer this question, you should discuss the various sources and methods you use to keep up-to-date with market trends and how you leverage this information to identify investment opportunities. The answer should demonstrate your proactive approach to market research and your analytical skills.
My Answer:
I stay informed about market trends and identify potential investment opportunities through a combination of methods:
- Regularly reading industry reports and market analysis from reputable sources like Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, and specific sector-oriented publications.
- Subscribing to newsletters and databases that are focused on growth equity and venture capital, which provide insights into industry trends and emerging companies.
- Networking with industry professionals, including entrepreneurs, other investors, and attending conferences to gain on-the-ground insights and learn about new developments.
- Using software and analytics tools to track the performance of various sectors, and to screen for companies that show promising growth patterns and financial metrics.
- Engaging with advisory services that have expertise in identifying growth opportunities in specific industries.
By consistently applying these methods, I am able to maintain a strong understanding of market dynamics and uncover investment opportunities that align with our growth equity strategy.
Q7. Explain how you would structure a deal in growth equity. (Deal Structuring)
In growth equity, deal structuring is critical as it defines the terms and potential return of the investment. The structure must protect the investment while aligning interests with the company founders and management.
-
Type of Security: Generally, growth equity investments are made in the form of convertible preferred shares, which provide downside protection through preference over common stock in the event of a liquidation, and also the upside potential through conversion into common stock.
-
Valuation and Investment Size: Determining the pre-money valuation of the company is crucial, as it affects the percentage ownership the equity investment will represent. The investment size is a function of the funding need of the company, the growth strategy, and how much dilution the existing shareholders are willing to accept.
-
Voting Rights and Board Representation: Structuring the deal to include voting rights and board seats helps in influencing key decisions and monitoring the company’s performance.
-
Dividends: In some cases, growth equity deals might include a dividend component, although this is less common as profits are typically reinvested for growth.
-
Liquidation Preferences: These protect the investment by ensuring that growth equity investors are paid out before common shareholders in the event of a sale or liquidation.
-
Anti-dilution Provisions: To protect investors from future dilution in the event of down rounds, anti-dilution provisions adjust the conversion rate of preferred shares to common shares.
-
Exit Strategy: The deal should clearly outline the pathways for a potential exit, such as an IPO or acquisition, and any associated rights or restrictions like drag-along or tag-along rights.
Here’s an example table of deal structure components:
Component | Description |
---|---|
Type of Security | Convertible preferred shares |
Valuation | Based on pre-money valuation |
Investment Size | Determined by funding needs and acceptable dilution |
Voting Rights | May include board seats |
Dividends | Typically not included, but possible |
Liquidation Preferences | Preference over common stock |
Anti-dilution Provisions | Protects against future dilution |
Exit Strategy | Outlines exit pathways and associated rights |
Q8. Can you discuss a successful growth equity investment and what made it successful? (Case Study)
How to Answer:
When discussing a successful growth equity investment, it is important to highlight the key factors that contributed to its success. These could include the timing of the investment, the growth strategy of the company, market dynamics, and the role played by the growth equity firm in supporting the company.
My Answer:
One particularly successful growth equity investment was in a tech company that specialized in cloud-based solutions. Several factors contributed to its success:
- Strong Market Position: The company held a differentiated product that addressed significant pain points in the industry.
- Robust Growth Strategy: There was a clear plan for the use of the growth equity to expand product offerings and enter new markets.
- Skilled Management Team: The company had a strong management team with a proven track record and deep industry knowledge.
- Effective Use of Capital: The investment was used effectively for both organic growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions.
- Timing: The investment was made at a point when the company was poised for exponential growth, and the market for cloud-based solutions was expanding rapidly.
This combination of factors, along with active support from the growth equity firm in areas like strategic planning and networking, resulted in substantial value creation. The company eventually went public, providing a significant return on investment.
Q9. How do you assess the management team of a potential portfolio company? (Management Evaluation)
The assessment of a management team is multi-faceted and should focus on both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
- Track Record: Examine the past successes and failures of the management team, especially in similar industries or stages of company growth.
- Industry Expertise: Evaluate the depth of the team’s understanding of the industry, market dynamics, and competitors.
- Vision and Strategy: Consider how clear and compelling the company’s vision is, and whether the strategy to achieve it is well-articulated and feasible.
- Execution Capability: Look at the team’s ability to execute on their plans, meet milestones, and adapt to changing conditions.
- Cultural Fit: Assess whether the team’s values and work ethic align with those of your firm and whether they have built a strong corporate culture that can attract and retain talent.
Q10. What is your approach to risk management in growth equity investments? (Risk Management)
Effective risk management in growth equity is about identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that could impact the investment’s performance. My approach includes:
- Diversification: Spreading investments across various sectors and stages to minimize the impact of any single investment’s poor performance.
- Due Diligence: Conducting thorough due diligence on the market, financials, technology, legal aspects, and management team of potential investments.
- Deal Structuring: Using deal structures that mitigate risk, such as preferred equity, and including protective provisions.
- Active Management: Taking an active role in portfolio companies to guide strategy, operations, and financial management.
- Exit Planning: Developing a clear exit strategy before investing, considering different scenarios and how they would affect the return on investment.
By combining these approaches, I aim to manage risks effectively and ensure a balanced portfolio that can deliver solid returns despite the inherent uncertainties in growth equity investing.
Q11. How do you determine the valuation of a growth-stage company? (Valuation Techniques)
To determine the valuation of a growth-stage company, you typically use a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess the value. Here are several common valuation methodologies that can be employed:
- Comparable Company Analysis (CCA): This involves finding a set of publicly traded companies that are similar to the growth-stage company in question and using their trading multiples to derive a valuation.
- Precedent Transactions Analysis: This method looks at past transactions involving similar companies in terms of size, growth, and industry to derive valuation multiples that can be applied to the company being valued.
- Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis: A more intrinsic valuation method, DCF involves projecting the company’s future cash flows and discounting them back to present value using the company’s cost of capital.
- Venture Capital Method (VCM): This is particularly used in early-stage valuations and involves estimating a terminal value at which the company could be sold or go public, and then discounting that value back to the present.
- Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Analysis: Although more common in private equity deals for mature companies, an LBO model can also be used for growth-stage companies if the investment thesis involves a significant amount of leverage.
In addition to these methods, a valuation will often consider qualitative factors, such as the quality of the management team, the company’s competitive position, and the growth prospects of the market it is in.
Example Valuation Table:
Valuation Method | Valuation Metric | Company Valuation ($M) |
---|---|---|
Comparable Company | EV/Revenue | $100M |
Precedent Transactions | EV/EBITDA | $120M |
Discounted Cash Flow | NPV of Projected Cash Flows | $130M |
Venture Capital Method | Terminal Value Multiple | $115M |
Leveraged Buyout | IRR of Equity | $125M |
Q12. What role do you believe growth equity investors play in the development of a portfolio company? (Investor Impact)
Growth equity investors can play a significant role in the development of a portfolio company, bringing more than just capital to the table.
- Strategic Guidance: They provide strategic advice to help the company scale, enter new markets, or refine its business model.
- Operational Support: Investors may assist in optimizing operations for efficiency and scalability.
- Networking: They often leverage their networks to provide talent acquisition, partnerships, and customer leads.
- Governance: Establishing strong governance practices through board participation is another key role.
- Financial Expertise: They aid in financial planning, budgeting, and can facilitate additional rounds of financing or an exit strategy.
Q13. Describe a situation where you had to negotiate investment terms. What was the outcome? (Negotiation Skills)
How to Answer:
When answering this question, describe the context of the negotiation clearly, including the objectives of both parties, the challenges faced, and the strategies you used. Finally, explain the result of the negotiation, highlighting how both the investor and the company benefited from the terms agreed upon.
My Answer:
In my previous role, I was part of a negotiation with a tech startup where we were discussing the terms of a Series B funding round. Our goal was to secure a 20% stake in the company, but the founders were initially resistant as they wanted to minimize dilution. We engaged in several rounds of discussion where we emphasized not only the capital we would bring but also the strategic benefits, such as our industry contacts and operational expertise.
After much deliberation, we agreed on a slightly lower stake of 18% in exchange for providing additional operational resources and a commitment to facilitate future fundraising. This outcome was successful because it aligned the interests of both parties and set a precedent for a collaborative relationship moving forward.
Q14. How do you build and maintain relationships with founders and CEOs? (Relationship Management)
Building and maintaining relationships with founders and CEOs involves a mix of professional rapport, trust, and mutual respect. Here are several key strategies:
- Regular Communication: Maintain regular contact, not only related to business performance but also to offer support and strategic advice.
- Transparency: Be transparent in your interactions and set clear expectations from the beginning.
- Value Addition: Continuously look for ways to add value beyond capital, such as making introductions or sharing industry insights.
- Respect: Show respect for their vision and expertise, and provide constructive feedback when necessary.
Q15. What is your experience with portfolio management and reporting? (Portfolio Management)
My experience with portfolio management and reporting includes overseeing a portfolio of growth-stage investments and ensuring that each investment is tracking towards its strategic objectives. Here are the core components of my experience:
- Performance Monitoring: Regularly reviewing financial and operational metrics against targets.
- Risk Management: Identifying risks within the portfolio and working with companies to mitigate them.
- Reporting: Preparing and presenting regular reports to stakeholders on portfolio performance, including insights and recommendations.
- Communication: Facilitating clear communication channels between the portfolio companies and our firm.
Portfolio Management Responsibilities List:
- Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and financials.
- Quarterly or monthly reporting to investors or the investment committee.
- Conducting regular portfolio reviews and strategy sessions.
- Identifying additional support or intervention needs for portfolio companies.
- Managing exit strategies for mature investments.
Q16. Can you discuss a time when you had to walk away from a potential investment? What were the reasons? (Investment Judgment)
How to Answer:
In addressing this question, you should demonstrate your ability to conduct thorough due diligence, critically analyze investment opportunities, and make disciplined decisions based on your findings. It’s important to highlight how you evaluate risk versus return and how you prioritize the fund’s investment criteria and the alignment with broader strategy.
My Answer:
Certainly! I had to walk away from a promising tech startup last year. The company was in a high-growth phase and had a strong market presence. However, upon thorough due diligence, several red flags appeared:
- Financial Irregularities: There were inconsistencies in their financial reporting that couldn’t be sufficiently explained.
- Legal Concerns: Ongoing litigation posed a potential risk to future operations and profitability.
- Team Dynamics: During our interactions, we noticed some red flags concerning the management team’s cohesion and ability to execute on the business plan.
Given these factors, it was in our best interest to walk away, as the investment did not meet our criteria for long-term sustainability and potential for healthy returns.
Q17. How do you balance the need for aggressive growth with financial sustainability in a portfolio company? (Growth vs. Sustainability)
How to Answer:
Discuss your approach to ensuring that a portfolio company grows at a sustainable rate without overextending itself financially. Mention specific financial metrics or operational strategies you would consider to maintain this balance.
My Answer:
Balancing aggressive growth with financial sustainability is a delicate act that involves:
- Strategic Planning: Ensuring that growth initiatives align with the company’s long-term vision and market opportunities.
- Financial Metrics: Keeping a close eye on key metrics such as cash flow, burn rate, and profitability margins to maintain financial health.
- Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks associated with growth strategies, such as market saturation or operational overload.
To exemplify the balance, consider the following metrics:
Metric | Aggressive Growth Focus | Financial Sustainability Focus |
---|---|---|
Revenue Growth | High year-over-year growth rates | Steady, manageable growth rates |
Burn Rate | May tolerate higher burn for growth | Prioritizes reduced burn rate |
Profit Margins | May reinvest profits for growth | Maintains healthy margins for durability |
Cash Reserves | May use reserves for expansion | Keeps reserves for operational security |
By monitoring and adjusting these metrics, a company can strive for aggressive growth while also maintaining financial sustainability.
Q18. How would you handle a disagreement with a founder of a portfolio company regarding its strategic direction? (Conflict Resolution)
How to Answer:
Your answer should reflect your ability to communicate effectively, maintain professional relationships, and negotiate or influence the strategic direction when necessary. Emphasize the importance of understanding the founder’s perspective and finding common ground.
My Answer:
In the case of a disagreement with a founder, I would:
- Listen Actively: Ensure I fully understand the founder’s vision and reasons for their strategic choices.
- Data-Driven Discussions: Bring data and market analysis to the table to support my concerns or alternative strategies.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Work with the founder to explore different scenarios and their potential outcomes, aiming for a win-win solution.
- Respect: Maintain respect for the founder’s insights and experiences, as they are often closest to the day-to-day operations.
Q19. What is your perspective on the use of debt in growth equity deals? (Debt Financing)
Leveraging debt in growth equity deals can be a powerful tool, but it must be used judiciously. My perspective involves several key considerations:
- Cost of Capital: Debt can be a cheaper form of capital compared to equity but comes with obligatory repayments.
- Financial Health: The portfolio company’s cash flow must be able to service the debt without compromising operational stability.
- Growth Stage: Companies in more mature stages of growth may be better suited to handle the structured nature of debt.
- Covenants and Terms: Favorable loan terms and covenants that provide sufficient flexibility for the company’s growth plans are crucial.
Q20. How do you approach exit strategies for growth equity investments? (Exit Planning)
When approaching exit strategies for growth equity investments, I consider the following factors:
- Market Conditions: Assessing the state of the market to determine the optimal timing for an exit.
- Company Performance: The company’s financial performance and growth trajectory should align with the expectations of potential buyers or the public market.
- Strategic Fit: Identifying strategic acquirers who would value the business or considering how the business could fit into the public market landscape.
- Investment Horizon: Aligning the exit strategy with the investment horizon of the fund and the investment thesis.
By evaluating these factors, I aim to maximize returns while ensuring a smooth transition for the portfolio company into its next phase of growth.
Q21. How do you measure the impact of your growth equity investments on the broader industry or market? (Impact Measurement)
To measure the impact of growth equity investments on the broader industry or market, one needs to consider both quantitative and qualitative metrics.
- Quantitative metrics might include:
- Market Share: Review changes in the company’s market share post-investment.
- Revenue Growth: Measure the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the company’s revenue.
- Job Creation: Evaluate the number of jobs created directly and indirectly as a result of the investment.
- Follow-on Investments: Track the volume and value of subsequent investments made into the company or sector.
- Qualitative metrics could encompass:
- Innovation: Assess the degree of innovation brought about by the company’s products or services.
- Industry Disruption: Evaluate the level of disruption the company has caused in its sector.
- Stakeholder Testimonials: Collect feedback from customers, suppliers, and competitors.
A comprehensive impact analysis would typically include a mix of these indicators to provide a holistic view of the investment’s influence on the market.
Q22. Describe a challenging investment decision you’ve made and how you approached it. (Decision Making)
How to Answer
When answering a question about a challenging investment decision, it’s essential to outline the context, the challenge, the process of decision-making, and the outcome. Be sure to focus on your analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as your ability to handle uncertainty and risk.
My Answer
A challenging investment decision I made involved investing in a technology startup in a nascent but rapidly growing market. The primary challenges were the high level of uncertainty about the market’s future and the startup’s ability to execute its business plan.
- Context: The startup was operating in a new but expanding market, with a lot of uncertainties.
- Challenge: Assessing the potential of the market and the startup’s competitive advantages.
- Approach:
- Conducted thorough market research to understand the potential growth and risks.
- Evaluated the startup’s team, technology, and business model.
- Carried out a scenario analysis to assess potential outcomes.
- Consulted industry experts for their insights.
- Outcome: Decided to make a staged investment with specific performance milestones.
Q23. What strategies would you use to help a company scale rapidly? (Scaling Strategies)
To help a company scale rapidly, one could implement a variety of strategies, including but not limited to:
- Market Expansion: Exploring new geographies or customer segments.
- Product Line Extensions: Developing new products or adding features to existing products.
- Strategic Partnerships: Forming alliances with other companies to leverage their resources or customer base.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlining processes and using technology to improve productivity.
- Customer Acquisition: Refining marketing and sales strategies to accelerate customer growth.
Each strategy should be tailored to the company’s specific situation and goals.
Q24. How do you incorporate ESG principles into your investment decisions? (ESG Integration)
Incorporating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into investment decisions involves a systematic review and integration of ESG factors throughout the investment process:
- Screening: Exclude companies or sectors with poor ESG performance.
- Integration: Consider ESG factors alongside financial analysis to identify risks and opportunities.
- Engagement: Actively engage with companies to improve their ESG practices.
- Monitoring: Continuously monitor ESG performance and impact.
ESG Aspect | Evaluation Strategy | Examples |
---|---|---|
Environmental | Assess environmental policies, resource management, and impact on climate change. | Carbon footprint, waste management |
Social | Examine labor practices, community relations, and customer satisfaction. | Employee turnover, community engagement |
Governance | Evaluate management structure, executive compensation, and shareholder rights. | Board diversity, anti-corruption policies |
Q25. Can you explain how you would conduct a competitive analysis for a growth equity investment? (Competitive Analysis)
Conducting a competitive analysis for a growth equity investment involves several steps:
- Market Definition: Clearly define the market in which the company operates.
- Identify Competitors: List direct and indirect competitors, including potential entrants.
- Assess Market Position: Evaluate the company’s market share, growth rate, and position relative to competitors.
- Analyze Competitive Advantage: Determine the company’s unique selling propositions and sustainable competitive advantages.
- Review Business Models: Compare the business models, pricing strategies, and go-to-market approaches.
- Financial Benchmarking: Analyze key financial metrics relative to competitors, such as revenue growth, margins, and return on investment.
- SWOT Analysis: Conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis for a more nuanced view.
Here’s a list of competitive analysis tools that can be used in this approach:
- Porter’s Five Forces
- PESTEL Analysis
- Benchmarking
- Value Chain Analysis
In conclusion, a systematic approach to competitive analysis is crucial to assess the potential of a growth equity investment accurately.
4. Tips for Preparation
To excel in a growth equity interview, begin with a deep dive into the firm’s portfolio, investment thesis, and recent deals. Understanding the specific growth stage focus and industry verticals the firm invests in can provide valuable context for your responses.
Next, sharpen your technical skills by reviewing valuation methods, financial modeling, and due diligence processes. Demonstrating proficiency in analyzing financial statements and growth metrics is critical.
Lastly, prepare to articulate your investment philosophy and potential contributions to the firm using concrete examples from your experience. Reflect on past leadership or team collaboration scenarios, as these soft skills are essential for relationship management and driving portfolio company growth.
5. During & After the Interview
During the interview, present yourself confidently and demonstrate your passion for growth equity. Clearly articulate your thought process, and be prepared to discuss past experiences that showcase your analytical abilities and market insight.
Avoid common pitfalls such as being vague in your responses or failing to provide specific examples. Ensure you fully understand each question before answering, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if needed.
Consider asking the interviewer questions about the firm’s investment strategy, the role you’ll play in deal sourcing and execution, or how they measure success in their investments. This shows genuine interest and understanding of the position.
After the interview, send a personalized thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. Typically, firms will provide feedback or outline the next steps within a week or two. If you haven’t heard back within this timeframe, a polite follow-up email is appropriate.